Durango High School cross-country and track runner Harry Steinberg reached the pinnacle of high school sports last year in winning two state titles on the best teams in school history.
With most of his former teammates now competing at the next level, a new test awaits the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A All-State runner, and it’s going to be a much different challenge.
“Harry is one of the most patient and hardest working athletes I have ever had the privilege of coaching,” Durango cross-country and track head coach David McMillan said. “His challenge this year is going to be to push himself outside his comfort zone. He has the ability to run with the very best in Colorado, and he was a huge part of our success last year.”
Steinberg’s hard work paid a season ago, and his progression over a three-year span has been impressive. The senior has dropped nearly a full minute on his mile time averaging 5 minutes, 21 seconds in 2014 to 4:35 at the start of this season.
However, building on a 36th-place finish at the 2015 Colorado state cross-country meet and a 4x800-meter relay state championship effort is going to be a tall order, especially without the likes of William Chandler, Benjamin Lachelt, Seamus Millett, David Moenning and Nicholas Turco to push him along.
“I can’t lie, it’s been kind of tough without the guys,” said Steinberg, son of Elizabeth and Jason Steinberg. “They were always leading the pack, running ahead, pushing the rest of us to keep pace. It’s different now. Even in the first meet, I spent a lot of time thinking about where they would be and when I should push ahead, things that really came naturally last year.”
The tall senior led the Demons with a time of 17:33 and sixth-place finish at the team’s season-opening Widefield XC meet over the weekend in Colorado Springs. The boys finished fourth overall.
“When you make goals, they have to be realistic and it felt strange setting the bar lower for the team,” he said. “But there’s a lot of young energy and kids who are really excited to run this year. I want to run with them, but, at the same time, I need to know when to push myself hard and break from the pack to join the frontrunners. There’s a balance there I need to find.”
Balance on the trail isn’t the only balance Steinberg has to achieve. Like many of McMillan’s best athletes, the senior is heavily involved in extra-curricular activities.
When Steinberg isn’t kicking up dust in his favorite Brooks running shoes, he’s either editing The Diablo, the Demons’ school newspaper, competing on the ultra-impressive DHS Aerospace Team, tightening up his 4.1 grade-point average or jamming on his piano. He’s also a member of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and DECA, a DHS group for budding future business leaders and entrepreneurs.
“Big things, both academic and athletic are in his future,” McMillan said.
Steinberg’s temporary focus, however, is passing down knowledge and sharing the formula that made last year’s team so successful.
“Those guys weren’t just great runners, they were great leaders,” Steinberg said. “It wasn’t in-your-face type leadership, it was just leading by example and being part of the team. I want to lead that way, too. After all, we’re a team, and I want to run with my team.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
Who is your favorite athlete?:
Steve Prefontaine
What is your favorite book?:
The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown
Do you have any hidden talents?:
I play jazz piano and I can juggle four things, working on five.
What is your favorite run in town?:
I like to run from Riverview Elementary to the Lions Den. It’s not that tough, just nice views of town and it’s close to home.
What band are you into right now?:
Dirty Heads
What teacher has made the greatest impact on you?:
Mr. Brian Honold, he was one of my teachers at Riverview. He has a lot of passion, and he inspired me to learn.
What is your dream job?:
Astronaut
Where would you most like to visit one day?:
Australia
Who is your celebrity crush?:
Ariana Grande
What are your favorite running shoes?:
Brooks Cascadia
Durango Herald
